M. Wynn: "Wild Card" Aviation Photography & Images: Gallery Update: Flying Legends of Victory Tour in Heber City

About This Blog:

The primary purpose of this blog is to showcase the best of my aviation photography. As such, you will find links to my main aviation gallery on Facebook containing photos from aircraft spotting, some kind of aviation event such as air shows and fly-in events, as well as aviation museums. I also critique my flights on commercial airlines and the services they provide. Occassionally, you'll find personally written, independent articles based on news and current events involving aviation. And of course, I'll put up links to official and unofficial aviation-related websites when I find them. And when time permits, I'll talk and discuss about anything involving aviation. But most importantly, this is my way to document my journey into the aviation industry!

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Gallery Update: Flying Legends of Victory Tour in Heber City

Earlier this afternoon, I drove up through Provo Canyon and visited Heber City up in the mountains. The Heber City Municipal Airport is home to the Commemorative Air Force's Utah Wing and their small fleet of warbirds. Throughout this week, the Utah Wing has been hosting another affiliate of the Commemorative Air Force, the Arizona Wing from Mesa's Falcon Field. The Arizona Wing is currently doing their Flying Legends of Victory tour and brought their North American B-25J Mitchell known as "Maid in the Shade" to give people rides and be put up on display. Since the drive from Provo to Heber was only about 30 minutes, I just knew that I had to jump on the opportunity for an adventure to a new airport and check out some historic aircraft. In addition to the warbirds, there was a fair amount of general aviation activity, much to my surprise. Here are the links:

Flying Legends of Victory 2017 - B-25J Mitchell "Maid in the Shade"

Flying Legends of Victory 2017 - Warbird Movements

Flying Legends of Victory 2017 - Static Display

Heber City (36U) 1

Preview:

Warbirds
This event did not disappoint as there was a fair amount of warbird flying activity from the B-25 as well as the Utah Wing's Texan trainers. Opportunities for tours and to step inside certain aircraft were plentiful and made for a spectacular event!

North American B-25J Mitchell "Maid in the Shade" (N125AZ) taxiing out for a joyride. Operated by the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing.

"Maid in the Shade" airborne after departing from 22.

"Maid in the Shade" making her entrance known by overflying mid-field of the airport. Just how a large warbird should be flown!

"Maid in the Shade" on landing roll-out on 22.

Taxiing back onto the ramp.

North American SNJ-5 Texan (N156SG) taxiing in after giving a ride. I last saw this Texan back down in Spanish Fork last September.

North American SNJ-4 Texan "Midnight Express" (N694US) taxiing in after giving a ride. This Texan also races in the T-6 Class of the Reno Air Races.

Nanchang CJ-6A (N75480) on display.

Boeing 75N1 Stearman (N7995) on display. Aircraft belongs to the Utah Warbird Adventures, which is also located on the grounds of Heber City Airport.

Lockheed/Vega PV-2 Harpoon "Attu Warrior" (N7670C) on display. Aircraft is owned by a man named Dave Hansen and the Warbird Warriors Foundation. Unfortunately, Hansen has been dealing with health issues and "Attu Warrior" has basically been adopted and in the care of the Utah Wing.

Cockpit of the "Attu Warrior."

Cockpit of "Maid in the Shade."

Plane-Spotting

What I love about events like this are those unprecedented opportunities to step out onto parts of the ramp and taxiways and photograph the general aviation traffic. And on a nice day like today, there was a fair amount of traffic flying in and out of the Heber City Airport as the event was going on.